Some American Things

This past Sunday, craving some chicken and fries, Chris and I set out to find the Perugian McDonalds, which is a good bit outside of the historic center. Chris looked up directions and so we set out, walking for quite a while, before coming to one of the signs that we had been looking for. The arrow pointed to an arch in a building so we walked in and it merely brought us out onto the perpendicular street. Were they indicating that the street was inside the arch? We decided the best bet was to keep heading down, as that is generally the way to go when living on a giant hill. We walked past a very large indoor swimming pool and down more and more. All the while I was get hungrier and hungrier (which we all know means grumpier and grumpier).

The hill leveled out and still we could not find this elusive street. Chris said it was supposed to be somewhere in the area so we walked around in circles for a bit, hoping to get a glimpse of those golden arches. After a lot of this we decided that since we were in sight of the MiniMetro we would just take it to the big grocery store, for the dual purpose of making our journey worthwhile and avoiding the long climb back up. So we boarded the MiniMetro and then walked to the grocery store only to find that it was closed. I suggested that maybe we should go to the department store next to it, but this also was closed. At this point I was basically just searching for anything to make the trip seem not in vain (it's certainly not the most scenic area of Perugia). We decided to walk around the corner just to see if absolutely anything was open and, sure enough, as we rounded the corner there was the McDonalds we had been searching for. I think I stood there for a while, not able to believe it. (I'm guessing this story would be so much better if the destination was something a little less silly, or maybe if you had been walking for as long as we were, or as hungry as we were). Worried that it was closed I tried to not get my hopes up, but, somehow, it was the only thing open in the entire area. I should mention that this particular McDonalds was full of fish tanks and trees and murals of famous European sites, all quite elaborate. The food definitely hit the spot, as well. Life is funny sometimes, no?

Monday night some friends and I went to an English showing of the movie "The Visitors." We were supposed to meet after one of my classes and walk back to my apartment to make pizza before going but one of the girls got out of class late and then we couldn't find them anywhere so they ended up coming to the apartment a good bit later. We started boiling water for pasta but that was taking too long so we decided that we'd have to grab pizza in order to eat before the movie started. Of course, making the pizza took a while at the pizzeria, so we ended up having about ten minutes to eat and walk to the movie. This resulted in Chris walking with the pizza box in his hand, balancing it while the rest of us grabbed slices from it and put ones on top for him. Italians very rarely eat outside, and would never consider to eat while walking. Thus a group of Americans walking down the street, slices of pizza in each hand not stopping to even put the pizza down in order to take slices from it, must have been quite the sight. We did manage to get there in time though, and with content stomachs.

The movie theater is a tiny converted opera house, complete with theater boxes and Victorian details. I liked the movie but it unfortunately had a very realistic ending, and I tend to like a good happily ever after. Still, it was really touching, and had some very cute moments, as a part of it entailed a lonely elderly man learning to play the drums.

Last night for one of my classes we attended a lecture about Italian food and how it affects culture. On the way there it was hailing quite heavily and I arrived drenched and very cold.

Right now it is snowing, which is exciting, as it is the first snow we've seen here. There's no chance of it sticking but still it's nice to look at and was fun to walk around in until my ears got very cold.

Tonight I have to go to one of my classes at 7 o'clock because the teacher was sick one day and wants to make it up.

Friday we booked a tour of the chocolate factory! I am really looking forward to that. It's free, aside from getting there, and it should be really interesting, not to mention delicious.

Saturday my Contemporary Italy class is going to Sienna for a field trip to learn more about Il Palio.

Next week is my Italian midterm and I'm also busy working on various projects. That's all I can think of for now. Back to watching the snow!